Page 12 of Wolves in Love

Anders, who had killed her husband and claimed it had been because Talon had betrayed them all.

Could she believe him? She hadn’t known Talon long before she had married him, although she had known him much longer than she had Anders before they had slept together.

And Wild Shades had attacked her, and Kastner was a brute of a werewolf. Was that because he suspected Anders’s role in his son’s death? Or because he and Talon were the same?

Regardless, Anders would not go into the wolf’s den without her. She would stand by his side until his father killed him.

What she would do next, she didn’t know.

A twig snapped, and she jerked around to see who approached. To her disappointment, Anders hadn’t come to his sense and returned to her. Instead, it was Tia, a Wild Shade who had helped her and Anders get situated when they first approached the pack.

You’re badly hurt. Tia kneeled in front of her.

I’ll live, Misti howled even if she wondered for how much longer.

Quick. Back in the bushes.

Misti wanted to blow past the wolf, to track down Anders, but already Tia was shoving her back, and Misti hadn’t the strength to argue or fight.

We can’t stay here forever, but it might bide us more time.

Misti winced. Anders was willing to sacrifice himself on the small chance that it might grant her life.

What’s wrong? Besides all of the fighting and us being on the losing end.

She stared at the other wolf. Could she trust her? They had spoken on a few occasions, and she seemed rather high up in the Wild Shades.

How well did you know my husband?

Tia glanced away.

Please tell me. There’s… there’s a rumor that he…

I heard. That he betrayed us. Tia spat. In her wolf form, it was almost comical to see. Almost. We had no word from any of our far-reaching scouts that your family was so close, and the scouts were his responsibility. Talon is nothing like his father. Kastner might be harsh and a bit brash, and he’ll speak his mind, consequences be damned, but Talon was ambitious, proud, and haughty. He always hated our leaving. Would he betray us if that was the only way for him to regain the mountain? I wouldn’t put it past him, no. Tia peeked her head out and glanced around. I haven’t seen him for a long while now.

He’s dead.

I can’t say I’m disappointed.

Knowing this, that a werewolf who had been close to Talon could so readily believe the worst about him had Misti springing to her feet. The pain in her body was becoming a distant memory. Adrenaline if she had to guess, and she’d take it.

Where are you going?

She ignored Tia and crept forward. To her horror, the fighting was stopping. Had Anders already turned himself over? Was he dead?

Moving as swiftly as her still-healing, adrenaline-pumping body would allow, she cut through the werewolves forming a circle. In the center of a clearing, Anders was walking slowly but with his head raised to the three leaders—his father, her father, and Kastner.

The werewolves surrounding them were howling softly so she couldn’t hear what the four were saying.

No matter what happened, she couldn’t allow Anders to sacrifice himself for her. Not after all they had been through together.

Shoving werewolves aside, and getting a few nips for her trouble, Misti burst through the crowd to enter the clearing herself. She tackled Anders, pinning him to the ground, her body searing with pleasure mixed with pain. She nipped at him, here and there, tiny little love bites.

Anders did not fight her. He accepted each bite and gave on to her in turn. With deliberateness, he dragged one claw over her heart and licked away the few blood drops that oozed free. She did the same to his chest, immediately over his heart. As soon as his blood entered her mouth, it was done. She could feel the force of their claiming fill her. His breathing was one with hers, his heart beating in perfect union to hers.

They were two and yet one.

I promised you, didn’t I? I always keep my promises.

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